Illini Zip

Back when Toledo was last in the NCAA Tournament this would have been me waiting for a Banquet chicken pot pie to come out of the oven. Now it's 2024 and things have changed. We live in the digital age. So this is me now waiting for the name of the latest Akron recruit to drop.

I think Groce will continue to recruit high school players while also keeping a certain percentage of the roster for senior transfers. So there will still be some GT types that go the distance. Just not full recruiting classes like before. I agree that this makes maintaining a culture far more difficult.

Fine, but can he please be a 7 foot 3pt assassin/spot up shooter?

Yep, I stand corrected. I thought he went right from Akron to Cincinnati.

I guess it's not safe to get excited until a player starts getting some meaningful minutes. And then you have the Dawson situation where his productivity fell off and left. And then the situation where Aziz Bandaogo leaves for a bigger school. So basically, it's just not safe to get excited. Who am I kidding. I'm still excited. Go Zips!!

Yes sir. Will do.

Zips add Isaiah Gray and Conner Groce. Darrian Baker departs.

One year is all a coach needs to figure out if a guy is a good fit. Even if he’s still inexperienced and raw. It could be almost anything; attitude, work ethic, teamism, intelligence. Remember what UConn’s coach Hurley said, it is sometimes the parents that are the cancer. Could be anything. We might be done. If not, I would like a true center with more than one year of eligibility please.

I don't know who gets credit for the phrase, but that is something Groce has said before. You are correct.

Do we have any idea who is leaving?

I am looking at value gained via the portal. The number of players moving around is irrelevant. The Big Ten is the big winner.

You get a bonus point for using team-ism.

I believe so. I might be reading between the lines a bit too.

I heard that differently. Ford will still handle the defense and Groce will handle the offense. The shake up is with the type of offense. Going from posting up through Freeman to a guard initiated offense.

I don't know what is allowed, but I support an expanded use of the walk-on role if it leads to giving some legit D1 players time to develop. It would also help retain the Akron culture from year to year.

I watched an earlier game that Ali Ali played in. The video stream was not very clear and it looked to be an AAU game. I was proud to see him (them) out there.

I'm hearing that the president of the Memphis NIL collective, Wilson was instrumental in landing the FedEx investment. He is well known for being a passionate fan of beach volleyball and swimming.

We agree. I have already stated that Groce should not let up on the OOC schedule at all. This incoming group can handle it mentally, but they are learning a new system with new teammates. Even our players from last year will have different roles, greater expectations and a different style of offense to learn. Edit: Also, all three WV transfers need to work on their mid-range game this offseason.

I think there is a psychological aspect to shooting and it’s the reason Groce doesn’t like to talk about it. Talking about it raises doubt and that leads to a spiraling lack of confidence. I think even our good shooters struggled because the pressure to help out Freeman was so intense. Hopefully the additions of Harris and Wilson will lift that pressure and the others can play more carefree and better as a result. Even though this last team was flawed and peaked early they had heart and determination. They grinded their way to that tournament championship. It wasn’t pretty, but they earned it. And even though I agree that Sharron Young is a major draw for the WV transfers, winning the MAC tournament was likely a prerequisite to this rebuild happening. So kudos to the Ali, Freeman and Tribble class of Zips for continuing our upward projection. Future is still bright.

I would say, not necessarily at the beginning on the year, but they should have a higher ceiling come March. And way more balanced.

Thanks. I like that idea. I will have to pay more attention for those events.

I agree, but tell me more about watching a Zips practice. Do I need to be a member of the Summit Group?

I look at some of these teams/players and have to wonder if steroids are involved. And if so, how prevalent is it across college basketball?

Found it!!

We are on the same page. I have been watching West Virginia games on Draftmatic. I will post a couple of games later. All three typically come in off the bench 5 minutes into the game. Although Harris has started. ---------------------- The Big 12 Tourney 2 seasons ago. The last game James Okonkwo (32) played for West Virginia. First half he is in from (15:18-9:16) and (5:21-End of half). Second half (11:00-2:49) and (1:13-End of game). Seth Wilson (14) plays in the second half from (17:53-8:25) and (5:01-End of game). No Josiah Harris. -------------------------- The Big 12 Tourney this past year. The last game Harris (22) and Wilson (14) played for West Virginia. You might recognize #55 for Cincinnati. First half Josiah Harris is in from (15:24-11:53) and (6:00-1:45). Second half (14:36-9:24) and (9:21-2:46). First half Seth Wilson is in from (15:24-9:58) and (1:32-End of half). Second half (14:36-9:21). No James Okonkwo.